Makahs' Right to Hunt Suspended Indefinitely

John Arum, attorney for the tribe, said the most recent ruling was narrow in scope and had little immediate effect.

"It's a very limited ruling. What it means is some delay while they go back and do an environmental assessment. But there is a psychological effect. It puts back into play again all the issues that were raised before."

Eric Glitzenstein, attorney for Metcalf, said the ruling made a statement about the importance of unbiased, vigorous governmental review.

"The court found the government clearly committed itself to supporting the hunt before looking at what its impact would be. It was essentially a forgone conclusion, while they were simultaneously pretending to study the hunt in an environmental assessment," Glitzenstein said. "The public's participation was essentially pro forma and pointless."

Alberta Thompson, the tribe's most outspoken opponent of the hunt, was delighted by the ruling. "Anything that will save the whales, that's what I am for," Thompson said. She sees no subsistence need for the whale or genuine revival of tradition in the hunt. "They are not that hungry. And tradition? I don't see any tradition in towing a canoe with a motorboat. That's not the whaling I heard my elders talk about. They said it would get kids off drugs and booze, but this town hasn't changed; it's like any other town."

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